Save Article

Cardinal Health Will Acquire
Alaris Medical for $1.6 Billion

By

Thomas M. Burton Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Updated May 20, 2004 12:01 a.m. ET

Cardinal Health Inc., a big wholesaler of pharmaceuticals, took a step toward further diversifying by agreeing to pay $1.62 billion for San Diego-based Alaris Medical Systems Inc., a maker of intravenous drug-infusion pumps and equipment.

Cardinal will pay about three times Alaris's 2003 sales of $533.9 million. In addition, Cardinal agreed to assume nearly $400 million in Alaris debt.